The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-09-07
Courthouse Tragedy.
WN. B. JONES SHOOTS AND
KILLS HIS WIFE.
Bloody Sequel to the South
Dallas Episode.
1.-THE First of His Family in Jail
With Blood on His Hands,

One OF the most shocking tragedies Dallas
has ever had was enacted at the west door
Of tho court house this morning at 0:3O, in
which William B. Jones took the life of his
wife. Eye witnesses say that Mrs. Jones
wasstanding near the stairway with her
back to her husband who came in at the
east door. He walked directly up to her
and began to shoot without saying word.
he continued TO advance on her ss she re-
treated screaming at the top Of her voice,
until she fell in the right corner of the hall
near the west door. After she had fallen
he ran up and shot her through the temple
firing four shots three OF which took effect
and were either Of Sncm fatal. She was
shot through the head, through the body
and the wrist, and died Instantly. Not one
word wm uttered during the shooting ex-
cept by the unfortunate woman, who
shrlsked for help. Deputy Sheriff Martin
ran out of the shsrlff's Office and seized
Jones, who WAS making his way out of the
west door, A struggle ensued in which a
pistol ahot was fired by lonesome say
at the officer and others think accidentally.
The prisoner IL safe in jail, where re-
porter has just seen him. He de-
clines to make any, statement for
publication. "The facts are very well
known outside" he said. "Tbis 10 the
first time that any of my family have ever
been in jail with blood on our hands"
The verdict at the inquest is in accordance
with the facts above set forth.
Readers will remember the South Dallas
episode in which Jones, Vsnston and Mrs.
Jones were leading characters. and which
resulted IN the Indictment OF seveia OF the
parties for aggravated assault. 1t was
charged that vanston and others were
criminslly intimate with Mrs. Jones-thst
she came home late At night after taking
buggy rides with Vanston---- that
Jones accused her of iuhdeity
and that Vanston knocked hm down.
q general fight occurring, In which
Mrs. Jone, il said to have t'ken a hand
against her husband. These reports were
general and good deal published regard
Ing the matter. The cases growing out of
the affair were 10 come up In county court
and this brought about the first meeting OF
Mr. and Mrs. Jones since the South Dallas
escapadc. Jones learned that Vanston and
Leicester were on their way to the court
house with his wife in n hack. lie heard
repeatedly of her living with Nsnston and
of suspicious relations between the parties.
He went to court house doubtless expecting
to meet the party together. lie found the
unfortunate woman only.
II is learned that Jones advertised for a
vile and that deceased was found in that
way. That she sold his horse and buggy
last summer, and that he sequestered the
property and they separated then for
while. That he has been married before
and has a divorced wife living. That he is
highly nervous man and frequently acts ss
If he were crazy. That he has always been
peaceable man.
Lynch law was talked of freely this
morning, but the lynchers were completely
divided As to whom 1t would be fair TO dis
pose of. While most OF the immense null
titude which gathered at the court house
talked freely of killing the killer, many
Others expressed u willingness to aid in de-
stroylng Mr.. Vanston. Excitement is In
tense.
Ponds Extract has wonla great reputa-